Family Office, Worldwide
Annelien Bruins has managed the collections of our clients for nearly ten years. During this time she established a system of procedures and guidelines in which the art and antiques are monitored and safeguarded. She continues to work for us on a consultancy basis and advises us on art management issues such as valuations and insurance, tax-related matters such as purchase and sale as well as import and export. She manages international art-related projects for us and she directs our registrar. As a result of her dedication, professionalism and knowledge our clients' collections are exceedingly well-managed in an incredibly discrete and cost-effective manner. According to one of the valuation teams that we worked with in 2006, the collections belonged to one of the best-managed that they had come across. I would happily recommend Ms Bruins to collectors, family offices and others who have to deal with the practical challenges that occur when dealing with extensive, international art collections.
Private Collector, London
Annelien was recommended to us by a mutual connection and we have worked with her on a number of occasions. She has advised us on buying art and the practical considerations one should take into account when going through the purchasing process. We enjoy working with Annelien and we found her advice invaluable. I would happily recommend Annelien to art collectors who need a trustworthy and independent opinion.
Private Client, London
I recruited Annelien in April 2010 as a project manager to work on the development and initial implementation of a new inventory management system which we needed as a result of our rapid expansion. For this job I needed someone with experience of designing art-related databases because the system we required was complicated in that it needed to integrate data from a number of disciplines (sales, inventory management, finance, imaging). An added complication was the heritage data that needed to be transferred from our old records to the new system and the integration of the new system with our existing website. Annelien worked with me, our head of operations and our other team members to determine our requirements for the new system which she recorded in a mapping document. She communicated our requirements to our software developers and continued to liaise between us and the software developers until the beta version of the database was ready to be tested. I am pleased to say that our new inventory system functions very well which makes our lives much easier. I found Annelien to be highly professional in the management of this project and I and my team enjoyed working with her. I would happily recommend Annelien to any organization in need of a project manager to assist with developing and implementing IT systems.
Private Client, Worldwide
Annelien Bruins has assisted me over the years with buying and shipping art. She is discrete, knowledgeable and professional.
Private Collector, London
Annelien Bruins has helped me to catalogue my collection of contemporary art. I worked closely with her on the sale of a part of my collection. She has a hands-on approach and pays attention to detail. I would gladly recommend Annelien to collectors who needs advice on any art management issue.
Filippo Guerrini-Maraldi, Divisional Director, Fine Art Division, RK Harrison
It is an honour to write a recommendation letter for Annelien as we have had a tremendous pleasure working with a diligent and impeccably behaved young lady. Over the past 9 years our working relationship has comprised of arranging complicated insurance in the Fine Art Sector for an important client having assets worldwide. Annelien is extremely organised and we are lucky to have her assistance in making a complex matter run incredibly smoothly. I have absolutely no doubt that whatever project Annelien is given her unique talent in creating solutions and making mechanics run efficiently will create nothing but confidence and enjoyment for her clients utilising her services.
Philip Lowe, Proprietor, Nelson and Co
I worked closely with Annelien in connection with an UHNW client who had an extensive art collection which was managed by her company. I had to assess the risk exposure to my clients (the insurers) of the fine art and valuables collection. I found her to be professional and meticulous in the management of the client's art and valuables collection and was able to answer all of my queries in respect of the risk. I would have no hesitation in recommending her services to HNW or UHNW clients.
Estelle Lovatt, Art Critic
Good advice just when you need it.
James Goodwin, Art Business Course Leader, Christie's Education, London
Annelien Bruins' lecture was inspirational for the growing number of students beginning or considering starting their own art business. Her near ten years experience of collection and curatorial management provided a panorama of the art market's unique operation and complex marketing, especially at the sharp end of the business. Knowledge of which is essential for success in today’s fast growing and changing international art market.
Dr Iain Robertson, Head of Art Business, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
Annelien Bruins has lectured several times on our marketing module. Her expertise on the practical aspects of collecting and the art market seen from an entrepreneurial point of view in combination with her marketing background came to the fore during these engaging lectures. Her approachability and willingness to discuss and answer questions very much assisted our students to gain an in-depth understanding of what to expect from starting a career in the art market.
Sally Perry, Co Founder and Director, Go Figurative, London
Annelien has provided detailed articles for Go Figurative on issues which are of interest to our community members. She has an authoritative yet engaging writing style and has always delivered her work on time. She is also an eloquent speaker on the issues surrounding art buying and collection management and presented for us to a group of art buyers.
Katherine Hart, Development Officer, Whitechapel Gallery, London
The Whitechapel Gallery’s Collecting Contemporary Art Course aims to provide an intellectual and creative framework for anyone interested in starting to collect or new collectors who have already begun to purchase work. Annelien Bruins gave a highly engaging lunchtime talk that covered the basic practicalities to consider when purchasing works of art. Her thoughts and advice were well received by the group, and the talk complemented the other events and lectures in the course very well.
Monica Woodley, Features Editor, Professional Advisor, Incisive Media, London
Annelien Bruins provided our financial adviser readers with a well-thought-out discussion of buying art as an alternative investment, detailing the issues investors must consider when adding art to their portfolios. Her thorough and clear observations were very well-received, and we look forward using her as a source of information on art collecting again in the future.
Emilie Faure, Public Programmes Manager, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London
Annelien Bruins has participated in several panel talks for Sotheby’s Institute of Art in which the topics varied from practicalities of collecting to starting up a business in the art world. Her contributions were insightful and her enthusiasm and knowledge about her areas of expertise were an inspiration to our students and guests.
COLLECTION CARE CATALOGUING BUYING CONSERVATION SHIPPING VALUATION RESTORATION PHOTOGRAPHY